Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to find they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to use any of the tools -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of stories of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. However the removing of valuable agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one that even makes use of Russian army transport as part of the heist.CNN has discovered that the equipment was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at practically $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are price $300,000 every.
CNN shouldn't be naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the details of the case for their very own security.
The contact stated the process began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a military truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some in the night.
Some of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however some of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its journey might be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- can be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact said.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare elements, they'll earn some cash," the contact said.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army units has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole lot of 1000's of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply told CNN that "the occupiers are offering native farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." However the farmers making an attempt to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to maneuver their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None of the ports are working. You'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor advised CNN.